Dallas Cowboys - TeamReport

The focus in most rookie minicamps around the league is on the draft picks.

For the Dallas Cowboys, however, all eyes were on 73-year-old newcomer Monte Kiffin, who was hired to replace Rob Ryan as defensive coordinator.

He was back at it in the NFL for the first time since 2008 when he ended a 13-year stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to join his son Lane at college stops in Tennessee and Southern Cal.

Kiffin's pedigree is not in question. The Buccaneers ranked among the league's top 10 in total defense in 11 of the 13 years Kiffin was the defensive coordinator. Tampa Bay also finished among the top 10 in fewest points allowed 10 times from 1996-2008.

But Kiffin struggled on the college level, especially the past two years at Southern Cal where there was talk about him no longer being able to relate to younger players or the fast-paced college game.

"Coaching is coaching," Kiffin said. "I just love coaching -- high school, college or the pros. I couldn't be more fired up. Coaches got to show up to."

Coach Jason Garrett was impressed with Kiffin's energy level. He said it was contagious.

"Kiff looked great," Garrett said. "He's got great energy. He's got great balance. He's fun to be around. He loves football. He's very passionate about it. He's a passionate teacher. You see that in the meeting rooms. You see that on the practice field. He's seen a lot of football in his life. He's a very wise football guy. He has that bounce in his step and that gleam in his eye in everything that he does-- very contagious. I love being around the guy."

The bigger issue is whether Kiffin still has game.

The Cowboys are betting on it as they made no big defensive personnel additions and are counting on Kiffin and his philosophy shift of moving the team from the 3-4 to the 4-3 as the biggest change.

"Yes, I do," Jones said without hesitation when asked of Kiffin being the team's biggest offseason addition on defense.

"He, of course, has been around and had a lot of repetitions with the dynamic of the team, practicing the tempo, the kind of practices you have. All of those things are something he really brings to camp. Monte is a lot of energy no matter when you're around him. And it is very productive and positive energy. So I think he'll bring that. Of course, it is contagious. He has (defensive line coach) Rod Marinelli with him and they're entire forte is getting a team ready and getting them ready to play. So not only are they good teachers, they're good motivators."

Kiffin laughs that off, saying it's not about him, "it's about the players."

Kiffin also pointed out that he will have more time to coach and teach in the NFL than in college because of classes and NCAA limits on practice hours.

"I know one thing, guys will be back (in the afternoon) and they don't have to go back to class," Kiffin said. "That's the way I like it. It's important to go to class, but we get back (in the afternoon) and have meetings and away we go."

Jones said coming to the Cowboys is the right fit for Kiffin, who prides himself on simple and sound fundamentals. That's good for Cowboys team that was often overloaded with too much stuff under Ryan.

"I think it's a perfect combination of getting us at the right level of the playbook," Jones said "Having come from college, having the background he has had, plus what we need probably was a reduced amount of things to do out there with the veteran players we've had. That's not to criticize anybody. It is a common goal and a common criticism of coaches. But I think he's the ideal fit for that and his circumstances coming from college really helps that."

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NFL Team Report - Dallas Cowboys - NOTES, QUOTES

--Center Travis Frederick, the team's first round pick, is expected by owner Jerry Jones to be the opening-day starter.

The Cowboys will give Frederick a look at guard. But Jones wants him to make an immediate impact at center.

"We want him to come in here and contribute immediately," Jones said. "Jason says it right when he says there is competition, but certainly, there ought to be a spot for him on that offensive line. We think he has the combination of skill and mental (approach) to play immediately."

--Tackle Doug Free remains with the Cowboys as of now. And if owner Jerry Jones has his way, he will be with the team in 2013. But the Cowboys are not going to pay Free his $7 million salary to play next season and want him to take a pay cut to around $3 million.

Free has yet to do so and the Cowboys aren't putting him on a timetable. But there is no question he will either take a pay cut or be cut after June 1.